England to bat first against India in Rajkot ODI

Rajkot, Jan 11(ANI): England captain Alastair Cook has won the toss and decided to bat against India in first of the five match one-day series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

Despite losing the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, a consolation victory in the third and final ODI has given Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his troops some momentum ahead of the ODI series against England.

Dhoni will also have one eye on the ICC ODI rankings, as a 5-0 victory in the series will take India to top spot. With criticism coming in from all quarters, Dhoni would love his team to come on top at the end of the series.

As far as England is concerned, this series will be a test of their number one ranking in ODIs.

Currently they are marginally ahead of South Africa and will hope to stun the home side like they did during the Test series.

England have handed Joe Root his ODI debut while India have not included Cheteshwar Pujara, giving Ajinkya Rahane another chance at the top of the order.